CM Punk obtained waiver to receive fighting license for UFC 203

It seems that pro wrestling stars always get some sort of waiver when they get to the UFC. First, Brock Lesnar got a waiver for his four-month notice to be enrolled in the USADA drug testing before his fight and now it emerged that the Ohio Athletic Commission issued CM Punk a license despite no fighting background.

MMAFighting.com, per a Combat Sports Law story, reported that for a fighter to be issued a license in Ohio, the fighter must have at least five amateur bouts and a winning record. If the fighter does not meet any of these requirements, he or she may appeal to the executive director or the Ohio Athletic Commission for a waiver.

Obviously, CM Punk didn’t meet any of those two criteria as he goes in for his fight on Saturday with a 0-0 record and no amateur or professional fights.

When MMAFighting.com reached out to Bernie Profato, Executive Director of the Ohio Athletic Commission, Profato defended the decision to issue Punk a fight license based on two things. “CM Punk has a wrestling background similar to Brock Lesner being permitted to fight in the past. There was also confidence in the matchmaker from the UFC and the past bouts he has submitted in previous UFC events in Ohio,” Profato said.

Punk got no waivers from the USADA though and the former WWE champion has been tested on six different occasions so far, all in 2016. Considering his “straight edge” character, one would assume that there would be no issues with Punk failing a drug test.